Huawei G510 for the visually impaired

Yesterday, on 2 April, 2014, I received an e-mail via the NAPSA mailing list.

I have pasted the contents of the mail below for your convenience.

Original e-mail

[Blind] FW: Introducing the Huawei G510 for the Visually Impaired

Introducing the Huawei G510 for the Visually Impaired

Vodacom is proud to offer the first specific needs smartphone for under R2000 – the Huawei G510 for visually impaired persons!

This device enables blind or visually impaired people to use the Internet independently, in privacy and with dignity using the TalkBack function. Vodacom is the only SA operator with a specific needs product team that caters for the visually impaired and persons with various other disabilities and the elderly.
Please tell your friends and family about this device.

Other smartphones with text-to-speech functionality are priced at double or even triple what this Huawei G510 will retail for. We offer this device on a uChoose Flexi 100 deal at R149 per month that includes R100 airtime and 250MB data. It is also available on Prepaid at R1699.

What does it offer?

The biggest bonus is the TalkBack text-to-speech software that makes the phone accessible to the visually impaired. The design and build quality of the phone is really impressive. It is powered with a dual-core 1.2GHz processor, has a 5MP camera and also comes fitted with Near Field Communications.

It includes a micro SD port, (up to 32 GB micro SD card) which is great to copy existing info from your previous phone or if you plan to store music and videos on the phone.

It comes with Android Jelly Bean
which is a major bonus, since it comes with added security of the latest software.

How to get it:

§ Call 12580 – Vodacom Specific Needs Call Centre

§ Vodacom website:
http://www.vodacom.co.za/personal/main/huaweig510

§ E-mail:
12580@vodacom.co.za

§ In store

§ Vodacom Direct sales

§ Vodacom on-line deals

My initial e-mail response to the above e-mail.

Please correct me if I am wrong but, the above mentioned device has not specifically been designed by the visually impaired. The Huawei Ascend G510 was
released in April 2013 and is a mainstream device.

Like I said, I might be incorrect but, for clarity, here are the specs below.

My next response

Re: [Blind] Introducing the Huawei G510 for the Visually Impaired
Perhaps it’s just me but, somehow I find it a bit deceiving to claim that I have to use a different version from the regular device. I am sure that either device will be usable by myself.

I also agree that there are similarly priced devices out there with even later versions of Android.

The other networks also carry fully accessible Android and iOS devices. This is not a specialty and unattainable luxury any longer that is exclusive to just one mobile provider.

Take care.

Here’s Vodacom’s notice to their dealers on the above mentioned device.

I have copied and pasted the entire text as it was received in a pdf file on a public mailing list.
The e-mail originated from “Michael Da Silva (Retail)” Michael.DaSilva@vodacom.co.za

The Huawei G510 for the Visually Impaired is an Android touch screen phone with TalkBack, making it accessible to the visually impaired.

TalkBack is a built-in screen reader application that verbalises the entire contents of a screen to the user.

This spoken feedback helps users navigate their device, describing what they touch and activate.

Customers can get it by signing up a new contract, upgrading or purchasing it .

The Huawei G510 for the Visually Impaired can be obtained at: All Vodacom Shops
Upgrades: Call 0821959
New contracts: Vodacom Direct 0821950

For more information:
-Refer to Vodacom’s website – the Specific Needs section http://www.vodacom.co.za/personal/main/visuallyimpaired
-Contact the Specific Needs Contact centre on 12580 free from a
Vodacom mobile phone or 082 12580 from any other phone (standard
rates apply)
-Send an e-mail to 12580@vodacom.co.za

Conclusion

As I have received numerous e-mail messages as well as phone calls regarding this phone, I am not able to add much to what I have written above.

I cannot say if the phone is ideal for a blind or visually person or not since I have never used it before.

However, it is a nice move on Vodacom’s part to try and make a difference. The only issue that I have, as mentioned above, is that it should not be pushed as if it is the only solution for blind or visually impaired persons.